Ringer Fan Bricklayer has put together this partial guide to Tolkien/LoTR TV in the USA over the Christmas period. If anyone has more programs (from around the world) to add to this, I will try but my memory is worse than Barliman’s so it’s just as likely that I’ll forget to!
The source for these listings is the tvguide website and the listings all in Central Standard time. As always, check your local listings!
USA
Wed 12-25 – 6:00 AM – Saturday Night Live Marathon (with Ian McKellen) E! Wed 12-25 – 1:00 PM – Saturday Night Live: Ian McKellen; Kylie Minogue E!
Thu 12-26 – 5:00 PM – Behind the Scenes: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers E!
Fri 12-27 – 11:30 PM – Sean Astin on Craig Kilborn CBS
Sat 12-28 – 6:00 AM – Behind the Scenes: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers E! Sat 12-28 – 5:00 PM – National Geographic Explorer: Beyond the Movie: `Lord of the Rings’; Otter Chaos; Yukon Rush MSNBC
Sun 12-29 – 2:00 AM – Behind the Scenes: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers E! Sun 12-29 – 4:00 AM – National Geographic Explorer: Beyond the Movie: `Lord of the Rings’; Otter Chaos; Yukon Rush MSNBC Sun 12-29 – 6:30 AM – Behind the Scenes: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers E! Sun 12-29 – 8:00 PM – Return to Middle-Earth WB
Mon 12-30 – 2:30 AM – Behind the Scenes: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers E! Mon 12-30 – 6:00 PM – Saturday Night Live: Ian McKellen; Kylie Minogue E!
Tue 12-31 – 6:00 AM – Behind the Scenes: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers E! Tue 12-31 – 12:00 PM – 2002 MTV Movie Awards MTV
Wed 1-1 – 4:00 PM – J.R.R. Tolkien OVATION
Fri 1-3 – 11:30 PM – Sean Astin on Conan O’Brien NBC
Australia
AndrewR writes: is The Master of Middle Earth is on tonight at 7:10pm (Brisbane Time) 8:10pm (Sydney, Melbourne time) on BBC World on Foxtel and Optus. It also repeats at 4:10am/5:10am.
This response was written by EleanortheEdlest and posted on our boards. I’ve added it so as to give balance to the discussion on this issue – Dem.
I have just read NZ Strider’s ‘analysis’ of Faramir. I found it interesting that in this analysis he only mentions part of the time we see Faramir in “The Two Towers,” and also has apparently failed to note some very specific information Tolkien gives us on him in the appendices of “Return of the King.”
In the analysis we are given only the implications that Faramir’s actions are all grim & frightening related to the hobbits. Granted, they are that, but that is not all there is to Faramir’s character.
After his ‘strange, stern look’ Frodo recites the ‘Sword that was broken’ rhyme. How does Faramir respond? “In astonishment.” He also openly concedes – “It is some token of your truth that you also know them.”
Frodo explains the rhyme to him and, again, Faramir does not answer in a threatening, or even an interrogating, way. He responds “thoughtfully.” Is he still shrewd & guarded? Yes. His astonishment is genuine, though. He has much to think about. These traits do not make him only a threatening personality but, rather, someone we are seriously interested in knowing more of.
We are also shown Mablung in only an ominous light, when this is also clearly in contradiction with the book. Frodo discovers that they speak an Elven-tongue, thus making them “Dunedain of the South.” This alone would improve his opinion of them, and make them appear less evil. He engages these Rangers in conversation. The conversation is guarded, but there is no enmity such as we see in the film. Even Mablung’s “I do not think the Captain will leave you here…” is said with a laugh.
After Sam butts in it is almost as if Tolkien expects us to be ready for some awful response from Faramir, because he clarifies how Faramir’s response was given:
” ‘Patience!’ said Faramir, but without anger.” There is no animosity.
He also continues to be fair – “Do not speak before your master, whose wit is greater than yours.” The film-Faramir was anything but fair.
The analysis says that Faramir’s “response was not comic at all.” No, it wasn’t – but the opposite of comic does not have to imply danger, or anger – just that Faramir is a grave man.
The analysis also makes much use of how shrewd Faramir is in interrogation techniques. He was, indeed, a wise man – but some of the interrogation techniques smack of mistruths, and we have already been told (by Faramir himself): “I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood.” If he would not lay traps of mistruths with horrible enemies, then how can we think that he would be willing to do so with someone he might consider an ally? He is too just a man.
The analysis continues to press on about Faramir’s ‘interrogating’ abilities – yet obligingly skips over another area where we are given a different Faramir than that of the film.
“A shadow of sorrow passed over his face….” When talking about the dissolution of Gondor.
We are then given more about Faramir separate & apart from his interrogation – “… regarding Frodo with a new wonder in his eyes. ‘Much that was strange about you I begin now to understand…” The implication here? A ‘new wonder’ does not denote simply a keen warrior prying information out of those useful to him, it implies someone ready to listen and learn – someone who has kept parts of his soul open to wonder.
Their conversations about Boromir continue and Faramir makes an amazing declaration (even more amazing considering the knowledge we already have of him – he does not snare anybody with falsehoods):
“…Whatever befell on the North March, you, Frodo, I doubt no longer. If hard days have made me any judge of Men’s words and faces, then I may make a guess at Halflings!…” He does not doubt Frodo any more, he doubts what he, himself, should do. This is vastly different from the film, where has doubt about Frodo, and is proud & harsh long after Tolkien has him give up any worries he had on Frodo’s part.
Referring to their conversations on the way to the refuge we are once again told that Faramir uses an “interrogator’s trick.” However, a trick smacks of a snare or falsehood, something Faramir will not do. We know that, if he says he stopped the conversation b/c of its touchiness then that is why he stopped it. He may be incredibly astute at understanding many things from one sentence, but this does not exclude his honesty.
Faramir, of the book, also does something that the Faramir of the movie never does at this point – he asks forgivness. Consider:
“…Frodo, I pressed you hard at first about Isildur’s Bane. Forgive me! It was unwise in such an hour and place. I had not time for thought. We had a hard fight, and there was more than enough to fill my mind.” Ever & always, Faramir is honest. He did question Frodo hard. He does not think, however, that this is an area to be proud of, but rather an area where he needs to ask his ‘prisoner’s’ forgivneness.
And, then, among all this hard conversation & questioning, we get the real essence of Faramir, son of Gondor:
“But fear no more! I would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo.”
A couple comments on this area:
Faramir is honest. If he says he will not take the Ring, he will not take the Ring.
He expects Frodo to have fear, but assures him it is no longer necessary. This is not the action of a man seriously interested in taking the Ring for Gondor’s use. This is the action of a man ready to do right.
Frodo makes the, for the moment, wise decision to not elaborate any more. He really does not know this man. The analysis, however, makes it appear that this was simply a trick of Faramir’s – how so? If he has told Frodo not to fear him, he means it. If he is really interrogating him (and, apparently, using every trick in the book) then why would he tell Frodo this?
Inside the caves we are also given a brief, but vivid, glance into Faramir’s character, a glance this analysis skips. Anborn tells Faramir:
“I drew nigh and went up aloft as swift as any squirrel could. You will not have us slay wild beasts for no purpose….” What do we have here? A picture of Faramir as a kindly man. What do we have in the film? A Faramir that seems to approve of his men violently mistreating Gollum.
I also am not sure why the analysis says that Faramir’s quick glance to the hobbits shows more distrust against them. Frodo has already explained as much as is possible about Gollum. Faramir has told Frodo that he no longer has any doubts about Frodo’s being genuine. The glance is most likely a simple ‘connecting factor’ – realising that what Anborn saw is probably what Faramir has already seen, and what Frodo has given some account for.
After supper Frodo & Faramir have their discussion. No doubt about it – there is, indeed, dramatic tension in this conversation. Neither of them are being dishonest, but they are also not going to flood forth everything in their souls. There are very deft turnabouts on both sides and, if Faramir is going to be accused of being a most talented interrogator, then so must Frodo be.
Faramir’s talk is also not all about exacerbating information from Frodo. There is genuine disappointment & grief in his conversation – after talking about Boromir we find that “Faramir sighed and fell silent for a while.”
If the analysis mentions that Sam notes Faramir’s quick glance in their direction after hearing of Gollum, how come it does not also mention something else Sam noticed? “He had noted that Faramir seemed to refer to Elves with reverence, and this even more than his courtesy, and his food and wine, had won’s Sam respect and quieted his suspicions.”
Faramir is happy to discuss the elves, but he is also ever ready to pick up on anything relating to his brother. Apart from all the investigation tactics, is this not completely understandable? Faramir saw his brother’s faults, but he also loved him with a strong, brotherly affection.
The analysis stops before we’re even done hearing Faramir in the book. After he recites his speech about “A chance for Faramir, son of Gondor, to show his quality,” he does this:
“… Faramir sat down again in his chair and began to laugh quietly, and then suddenly became grave again.
‘Alas for Boromir! It was too sore a trial… We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt. Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said. Even if I were such a man as to desire this thing and even though I knew not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take those words as a vow and be held by them.
But I am not such a man. Or I am wise enough to know that there are some perils from which a man must flee. Sit at peace! And be comforted, Samwise…”
Here, then, is the answer to the question that the analsyis rudely ends with: “will Faramir take the Ring?”
Tolkien clearly tells us No. He will not. He does not desire it. He does not desire to use it, even for Gondor’s glory or his father’s respect (which are probably the same thing). He is a just and kind man. He keeps his word.
The movie, however, goes completely against the grain with these qualities of Faramir’s. He does desire the Ring. He does desire to use it. He is not a kind man. He watches with assent & approval when Gollum is flung about. He does not keep his word – he gives Frodo every reason to think he will not harm Gollum, and then stands by & lets Gollum be harmed.
I would now like to answer some very specific ‘points’ in the analysis.
Most of the complaints about the presentation of Faramir in the movie have centred on these points:
1.) He was a good guy who never threatened the Hobbits
2.) He did NOT kidnap the Hobbits
3.) He did NOT want the Ring
4.) He was different from Boromir
As far as I can see, Tolkien’s presentation on Faramir has him threatening the Hobbits and kidnapping the Hobbits; Tolkien keeps suggesting that Faramir too may try for the Ring in the same way as Boromir already had.
Complaint #1 – My complaint is that Faramir would never have threatened the Hobbits without need. In the movie he seems to take delight in threatening characters smaller and weaker than he is.
Complaint #2 – Faramir would not have kidnapped the Hobbits the way it is shown in the movie. In the book he takes them to his cave simply whilst he decides what is best to be done. Forfeiting one’s life is not something you decide on quickly. He also has a responsibility to investigate all those on his land. He does not feel he has all the information, he can see the Hobbits need a rest, it isn’t even safe for them to continue at the moment. Solution? ‘Kidnap’ them while he decides the best course. Book? He decides to let them go.
Movie? He continues to hold them in bondage, after he’s learned about the Ring and decided a plan of action. His plan of action is vastly different than what the Faramir of the book would have done.
Complaint #3 – Tolkien does, indeed, through the Hobbits’ eyes, continually suggest that Faramir might take the Ring. Of course we are to suspect this – The Ring is an item of great danger, and we’ve got the example of the 9 wraiths (once men) falling prey to its power, along with witnessing what it did to Boromir. Tolkien doesn’t stop there, however. He surprises us by showing us a man who is not lured by it. A man who does right from the start. This is not what we get in the movie. Tolkien’s suggestion that Faramir might succumb and fact that he does not, is reversed in the movie. He does succumb, and then – against all odds – he ‘reforms.’
Complaint #4 – He was different than Boromir, and I’m really not sure why the film makers decided to make them similar.
I have a few more of my own complaints to offer:
#5 – He is cruel in the movie. This is not what we have of him in the book.
#6 – He is unduly hasty & judgmental. In the book he is “thoughtful,” “astonished” and “wondering” at much of what he hears. In the movie he seems willing to think the worst of everything and not give fair ‘trials’ to his ‘prisoners.’
—————–
3.) The movie then plays with another option: Faramir will send Frodo (and the Ring) to Minas Tirith (present in the book as well).
Not quite sure why this is ‘another option.’ Tolkien certainly doesn’t make it an option. Faramir finds out about the Ring and sends Frodo on his way. In the very beginning he considers sending Frodo to Minas Tirith, but this is even before he knows about the Ring! The movie is playing with an option Tolkien never gave.
In closing, I’d like to share the description of Faramir that we have from the RotK appendices:
“Faramir the younger was like him [Boromir] in looks but otherwise in mind. He read the hearts of men as shrewdly as his father, but what he read moved him sooner to pity than to scorn. He was gentle in bearing, and a lover of lore and of music, and therefore by many in those days his courage was judged less than his brother’s. But it was not so, except that he did not seek glory in danger without a purpose. He welcomed Gandalf at such times as he came to the City, and he learned what he could from his wisdom; and in this as in many other matters he displeased his father…
It did not seem possible to Faramir that any one in Gondor could rival Boromir, heir of Denetho, Captain of the White Tower; and of like mind was Boromir. Yet it proved otherwise at the test.”
Sequel 37% higher than ‘Fellowship,’ breaks records
By DAVE MCNARY
The second outing of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy towered above o’seas B.O. competish during its debut.
Towering B.O. o’seas
Current worldwide B.O. champ “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” has already shown serious foreign legs in its first five days, grossing $88 million, or 16% of the foreign cume for “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”
“Towers,” which opened in 26 territories, was 37% higher than the five-day mark for “Fellowship” and set opening-day records in many markets. Blighty led the way with $20.4 million, or 22% of the $90.2 million cume for “Fellowship” in the territory.
Germany’s first five days for “Towers” hit $17 million, or 23% of the $73 million final B.O. for “Fellowship” in that market, while Spain’s $7.1 million debut for “Towers” amounted to 25% of Spanish cume for “Fellowship.”
Scandinavia totaled $10 million for “Towers” and France brought in $9.8 million, compared with $8.2 million for the first five days of “Fellowship.” South Korean B.O. totaled $4 million.
Rolf Mittweg, New Line’s worldwide marketing and distrib prexy, said the improved perf for “Towers” compared with “Fellowship” stemmed from a trio of factors:
A 15% rise in the number of playdates to more than 5,400.
Expansion of the audience through the shipping of 35 million DVD and VHS units of “Fellowship.”
Pay TV bows of “Fellowship” in the United States and Korea.
“Towers” also has dominated the U.S. box office, ringing up $102 million in its first five days. Its worldwide total is already 22% of the final worldwide cume of $860 million for “Fellowship,” which owns the fifth highest worldwide mark after “Titanic” at $1.8 billion; “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” $968 million; “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace,” $923 million; and “Jurassic Park,” $920 million.
Shooting for second
Mittweg predicted “Towers” will wind up second on the list, displacing “Sorcerer’s Stone.” It will open in Australia at 425 playdates on Thursday, during that territory’s Boxing Day holiday, and on Friday in Brazil, followed by a Jan. 17 launch in Italy and a late February opening in Japan.
Well, the characterisation of Faramir in The Two Towers certainly has caused some contention. But, do you really understand the nature of Faramir son of Denethor? TORn discussion board regular NZ Strider presented this interesting analysis on our boards yesterday. It’s well worth a read …
Update: Well, that prompted a flood of responses.
In an attempt to present the other side of the argument, here’s an extensive response from ElanortheEldest. [More]
NZ Strider’s originial article is, of course, below.
Some notes on the introduction of Faramir (in the book — not the movie)
When Faramir and his men capture Frodo and Sam, Faramir declares his identity to the two Hobbits with the following words: “‘I am Faramir, Captain of Gondor,’ he said. ‘But there are no travellers in this land: only the servants of the Dark Tower, or of the White.'” (A minor side-note by the way: one white use this passage for an argument that the two eponymous towers are those of Barad-dûr and Ecthelion.) Faramir’s line is ominous: he knows that Frodo and Sam are not servants of Gondor, therefore they are enemies by default. Faramir goes on to ask where Sam’s and Frodo’s companion is, whom he alleges to be a ‘spying breed of Orc.’ The implication is obvious what Faramir thinks of those that would take up with a spying breed of Orc.
Frodo begins to explain himself and his mission; and mentions Boromir. “‘Boromir son of the Lord Denethor?’ said Faramir, and a strange stern look came into his face.” Now, a ‘strange stern look’ is rarely a positive sign; and in retrospect Faramir’s distrust of the Hobbits becomes apparent through his withholding a pertinent detail, to wit that he is Boromir’s brother. Faramir will, in fact, use this against Frodo in a few moments. First, however, Frodo speaks of the riddle which both Faramir and Boromir heard in a dream — Faramir acknowledges recognising the lines — and then identifies Sam and himself as the ‘Halflings.’ Faramir shoots straight back with ‘What is Isildur’s Bane?’ Frodo answers evasively: ‘That is hidden.’ (This allows two meanings: ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I am keeping it hidden.’) It should now be said that neither side is being particularly honest with the other: both are withholding something.
Faramir must then go to the battle. Faramir has two reasons to keep Frodo and Sam alive: they know something about Boromir as well as about ‘Isildur’s Bane.’ Faramir places them under guard till his return. The man whom Faramir sets over the two Hobbits, Mablung, is under no illusion what Faramir means to do with the Hobbits:
Mablung: “When [Faramir] comes we shall depart swiftly.” Sam: (freely) “Try not to wake me when you do.” Mablung: “I do not think the captain will leave you here.” (I.e.: “You’re coming with us” — the sentiment is ominous; and, as it turns out, correct.)
After the battle against the Haradrim Faramir returns for a full interrogation of Frodo:
“He had brought many men with him; indeed all the survivors of the foray were now gathered on the slope nearby, two or three hundred strong. They sat in a wide semicircle, between the arms of which Faramir was seated on the ground, while Frodo stood before him. It looked strangely like the trial of a prisoner.”
The trial of a prisoner indeed! For that is what it is; Faramir has taken Frodo prisoner and is now interrogating him in a high pressure situation: behind Frodo are three hundred armed Gondorian soldiers; before him is his interrogator.
Now we have already seen that Faramir distrusts Frodo and has withheld his relationship with Boromir. Tolkien brings Faramir’s distrust straight back to our attention through Sam’s observations:
“Faramir’s face… was now unmasked: it was stern and commanding, and a keen wit lay behind his searching glance. Doubt was in the grey eyes that gazed steadily at Frodo.” This, of course, well befits an interrogator who thinks his prisoner is lying to him. As indeed Faramir does: “Sam soon became aware that the captain was not satisfied with Frodo’s account of himself at several points: what part he had to play in the Company that set out from Rivendell; why he had left Boromir; and where he was now going. In particular he returned often to Isildur’s Bane. Plainly he saw that Frodo was concealing from him some matter of great importance.”
I have just remarked on the ambiguity of Frodo’s evasive answer ‘it is hidden.’ Faramir caught the ambiguity and returns to it: “It is hidden, you say; but is not that because you choose to hide it?” Frodo is forced to admit that he is concealing something, but counters by revealing Aragorn’s identity as Isildur’s heir. This bowls Faramir’s men over completely, but Faramir himself remains ‘unmoved.’ But Frodo, in fact, has just bought himself some time: he’s used a simple trick; he’s changed the subject. Faramir gives him his head, however; and Faramir, as we’ll see, has no intention of letting Frodo off the hook in regard to Isildur’s Bane. Frodo, having had some success by changing the subject, speaks further of Boromir as if Boromir were alive, and now Faramir moves to catch Frodo out on this subject. He asks a trick question, “Were you a friend of Boromir?”
Frodo hesitates; “Faramir’s eyes watching him grew harder.” “At length” Frodo answers, evasively, “Yes, I was his friend, for my part.” Faramir now moves to spring the trap: “Faramir smiled grimly. ‘Then you would grieve to learn that Boromir is dead?'” Frodo realises that Faramir is trying to “trap him in words” and protests.
The interrogation now takes a nastier turn:
Faramir: “As to the manner of his death, I had hoped that his friend and companion would tell me how it was.” (Faramir next words will show that his use of “friend” is sarcastic — he suspects that Frodo contributed to Boromir’s death.) Frodo: “[Boromir] lives still for all that I know. Though surely there are many perils in the world.” Faramir: “Many indeed, and treachery not the least.”
At this stage the interrogation of the prisoner has reached a high point in the tension. Frodo has found himself manoeuvred back and forth: his evasion on Isildur’s Bane has been laid bare; a desperate attempt to change the subject has seen him blunder into another trap — and he now finds himself accused of complicity in Boromir’s death, of which, however, he knows less than Faramir; so how can he answer Faramir’s accusation?
Tolkien here breaks the tension by having Sam make a comic interjection — but Faramir’s response in not comic at all: “I might have slain you long ago. For I am commanded to slay all whom I find in this land without the leave of the Lord of Gondor.” In other words, Faramir holds the power of life or death over his two prisoners. The threat is palpable.
Shortly thereafter Faramir finally admits that he is Boromir’s brother. Faramir takes it easy on Frodo in the next portion of the interrogation; he lets the conversation eddy and turn from Boromir to Lórien. Frodo finally asks to be set free: “Will you not put aside your doubt of me and let me go?” That, however, Faramir will not do.
Faramir has already suggested one possible decision he might make about Frodo: obey orders and have him killed. He now considers a second: “I should now take you back to Minas Tirith to answer there to Denethor.” But he has yet to make his final decision in the matter: in the meantime, “you, Frodo and Samwise, will come with me and my guards … In the morning I will decide what is best for me to do and for you.”
Frodo doesn’t exactly have a choice in this matter. “There was nothing for Frodo to do but to fall in with this request.” He is Faramir’s prisoner; and Faramir is currently considering two options: to slay Frodo; or to send him to Minas Tirith. It does not look good for Frodo.
As they walk towards Henneth Annûn, Faramir speaks further with Frodo. We now learn that Faramir was aware that Frodo had changed the subject away from Isildur’s Bane: “we were drawing near to matters that were better not debated openly before many men. It was for that reason that I turned rather to the matter of my brother and let be Isildur’s Bane. You were not wholly frank with me, Frodo.”
Now Faramir gives out that he is returning to press that point. The interrogator’s trick he plays on Frodo is exemplary. He is turning from the matter of his brother to that of Isildur’s Bane: “‘I would hazard that Isildur’s Bane lay between you and was a cause of contention in your Company. Clearly it is a mighty heirloom of some sort, and such things do not breed peace among confederates, not if aught may be learned from ancient tales. Do I not hit near the mark?’
“‘Near,’ said Frodo, ‘but not in the gold. There was no contention in our Company, though there was doubt: doubt which way we should take from the Emyn Muil. But be that as it may, ancient tales teach us also the peril of rash words concerning such things as — heirlooms.'”
By pretending to ask about Isildur’s Bane, Faramir just got Frodo to reveal something about Boromir: “Ah, then it is as I thought: your trouble was with Boromir alone.”
These things are typical of Faramir as interrogator: he is good at ostensibly asking one thing while aiming at another. Frodo is being whipsawed from one subject to the next; surrounded by armed men he has to answer — and Faramir keeps tricking things out of him. Faramir has laid bare his evasions about Boromir and Isildur’s Bane; though he has not yet got out of Frodo the full truth concerning the latter. Now he piously begs forgiveness for having “pressed Frodo hard” — and draws off to something else, letting Frodo relax again. Perfect interrogator’s style.
He finds a mutal topic of interest (Gandalf), on which he and Frodo can be friends. He assures Frodo that he means no harm with regard to Isildur’s Bane (and doesn’t press Frodo anymore on the subject): “What in truth this Thing is I cannot yet guess; but some heirloom of power and peril it must be. A fell weapon, perchance, devised by the Dark Lord… But fear no more! I would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo.”
The conversation thenceforward is friendly, inviting of confidence. It’s another interrogator’s trick, of course: put the prisoner at his ease; be friends with him; reassure him. (It’s the “good cop” part of the “bad cop/good cop” routine.) “So fear me not! I do not ask you to tell me more. I do not even ask you to tell me whether I now speak nearer the mark. But if you will trust me, it may be that I can advise you in your present quest, whatever that be — yes, and even aid you.”
Yet Frodo, though sorely tempted, figures this trick out: “Frodo made no answer. Almost he yielded to the desire for help and counsel, to tell this grave young man, whose words seemed so wise and fair, all that was in his mind… Better mistrust undeserved than rash words. And the memory of Boromir… was very present to his mind, when he looked at Faramir and listened to his voice.” Faramir may do the same thing which Boromir tried. Boromir wanted the Ring; Faramir, his brother, may attempt to take it also.
If Frodo sees through this trick, Sam doesn’t. Faramir lets Frodo be. As they approach Henneth Annûn he has his prisoners blindfolded (but takes as much care to let them know that this is just a precaution, etc.). Once in Henneth Annûn Faramir plays the gracious host (trying to keep the Hobbits at their ease), but his words to Anborn reveal that he doesn’t yet trust the Hobbits.
Sam overhears enough of the conversation to make it clear that Faramir has not forgotten Gollum. Faramir concludes: “‘We do not want the escapes of Mirkwood in Ithilien.’ Sam fancied that he gave a swift glance towards the hobbits as he spoke.” Faramir is clearly still deeply suspicious of the Hobbits — the issue of Gollum is still a complicating factor; Frodo is still withholding something about Isildur’s Bane (even if he didn’t help to kill Boromir); and Faramir has, at any rate, yet to decide what to do with Frodo: kill him or send him to Minas Tirith. No other possibility has been mentioned. And Frodo, for his part, is reminded too much of Boromir to trust Faramir.
At any rate, Faramir returns to the interrogation — as the good cop: “On your journey from Rivendell there must have been many things to tell. And you, too, would perhaps wish to learn something of us and the lands where you now are. Tell me of Boromir my brother, and of old Mithrandir, and of the fair people of Lothlórien.”
Frodo is canny enough to understand: “Frodo no longer felt sleepy and he was willing to talk. But though the food and wine had put him at his ease, he had not lost all his caution.”
We, as readers, by this point should also have seen through Faramir. Faramir is not going to let the matter rest until he finds out about Isildur’s Ring. He is patiently using every interrogator’s trick in the book to worm information out of his captives. He’s tried trick questions; traps, set up by withholding information; intimidation (three hundred armed men); implied threats (“I might have slain you”); reverse psychology (“I do not ask you to tell me more. I do not even ask you to tell me whether…”); the whole good-cop routine; now we’re at “have some more wine, and let’s tell each other about ourselves.”
Frodo keeps his guard up; but Sam doesn’t. The dramatic tension, however, remains: will Frodo let his guard slip at last? Will Isildur’s Bane be revealed? And, if so, will Faramir react as did Boromir. Frodo suspects that he will — and so must we. This is, of course, the most threatening aspect of the whole scene: will Faramir lunge for the Ring (as did his brother) if Frodo reveals it? The whole interrogation has seen Faramir come closer and closer to finding out about the Ring; his friendliness (as evinced by his remembering Gollum and his sharp glance towards Frodo) is clearly directed to a purpose: finding out what Isildur’s Bane is. The dramatic tension for us is, “will Frodo slip in his caution?” We are waiting for the moment; the threat which Faramir poses is perfectly clear; they are Faramir’s captives; he’s already shown himself a wily interrogator — how long can Frodo hold out? And will Faramir then succumb as did his brother?
Finally, Sam gives away his interest in Elves. Faramir is happy to oblige Sam by talking about Elves and Lórien. Sam’s tongue is loosed:
“‘It strikes me that folk takes their peril with them into Lórien, and finds it there because they’ve brought it. But perhaps you could call her perilous, because she’s so strong in herself. You, you could dash yourself to pieces on her, like a ship on a rock; or drowned yourself, like a hobbit in a river. But neither rock nor river would be to blame. Now Boro — ‘ He stopped and went red in the face. “‘Yes? Now Boromir you would say?’ said Faramir. ‘What would you say? He took his peril with him?’ “‘Yes sir, begging your pardon, and a fine man as your brother was if I may say so. But you’ve been warm on the scent all along. Now I watched Boromir and listened to him, from Rivendell all down the road — looking after my master, as you’ll understand, and not meaning any harm to Boromir — and it’s my opinion that in Lórien he first saw clearly what I guessed sooner: what he wanted. From the moment he first saw it he wanted the Enemy’s Ring!'”
Tolkien has brought everything to the climax: Faramir has doggedly pursued this piece of information throughout the entire interrogation with every possible trick. We’ve been wondering how long Frodo could keep his guard up; and now Sam’s blabbed: and now Sam understands the trick Faramir was using: “You’ve spoken very handsome all along, put me off my guard, talking of Elves and all!”
The next step is to find out whether Faramir will commit Boromir’s sin and try to seize the Ring. Tolkien moves us straight to that:
“‘So it seems,’ said Faramir, slowly and very softly, with a strange smile. ‘So that is the answer to all the riddles! The One Ring that was thought to have perished from the world. And Boromir tried to take it by force? And you escaped? And ran all the way — to me! And here in the wild I have you: two halflings, and a host of men at my call, and the Ring of Rings. A pretty stroke of fortune! A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality! Ha!’ He stood up, very tall and stern, his grey eyes glinting.
“Frodo and Sam sprang from their stools and set themselves side by side with their backs to the wall, fumbling for their sword-hilts.”
Now we’re at the real threat: will Faramir take the Ring?
I’d like to capitulate several points:
1.) Faramir distrusts Frodo because he realises that Frodo is hiding a great deal from him;
2.) He takes Frodo prisoner;
3.) Faramir interrogates Frodo (both in a high pressure situation in public with lots of intimidation and in private in an attempt to put Frodo off his guard);
4.) Faramir is an extremely tricky interrogator determined to get to the bottom of the matter;
5.) Frodo fears that Faramir will take the Ring because of what his brother did;
6.) Tolkien purposefully builds Faramir’s continued interrogations up as a very real threat — will Faramir find out what Isildur’s Bane is; and will he then attempt to seize it?
Now, my fig-leaf for posting this on “Moviediscussion” instead of in the “Readingroom”: How does one do all this in a movie?
Most of the complaints about the presentation of Faramir in the movie have centred on these points:
1.) He was a good guy who never threatened the Hobbits
2.) He did NOT kidnap the Hobbits
3.) He did NOT want the Ring
4.) He was different from Boromir
As far as I can see, Tolkien’s presentation on Faramir has him threatening the Hobbits and kidnapping the Hobbits; Tolkien keeps suggesting that Faramir too may try for the Ring in the same way as Boromir already had.
Now, some positive points:
1.) Faramir is a wily interrogator in the book: the movie could not possibly give us the book’s lengthy triple-interrogation scene, with all its twists and turns. But it certainly gave us Faramir as hard-nosed interrogator.
2.) The movie shows us Faramir as threatening to the Hobbits; it makes us think that he will try to take the Ring as did his brother.
3.) The movie then plays with another option: Faramir will send Frodo (and the Ring) to Minas Tirith (present in the book as well).
Since filming went underway in 2000, The Two Towers has seen its storyline changed endless times due to necessity, time constraints, negative fan feedback and even by order of New Line. Hence, a huge chunk of material was either unused in the final theatrical cut of the movie or scrapped entirely. Here is just a list of some of the scenes that may or may not feature in The Two Towers Extended Edition next year.
• Arwen running up to Elrond’s veranda in Rivendell in fear, saying ‘You have the gift of foresight…’ • Gandalf the White telling Aragorn at night before Helm’s Deep that Sauron ‘fears what you may become’ • Faramir discovering Boromir’s horn cloven in two as it washes ashore • Arwen walking up towards the shards of Narsil while wearing a cloak similar to the one which she wears while leaving Rivendell • Further shots of Merry and Pippin being guarded by the Uruk-hai at night • Further shots of Eowyn standing outside the Golden Hall of Edoras • Elrond stating the alliance of Elves and Men ‘is over’ • Sam making greater use of the Elven rope given to him by Galadriel while travelling to Mordor with Frodo • Further shots of Arwen and Aragorn together in the past • The storyline of Arwen taking part in Helm’s Deep, including shots of the Rivendell Elves arriving at Lothlorien and Arwen sleeping under falling leaves, was completely scrapped • Further shots of Eomer’s travels in the hunt of orcs or after being banished from Rohan • Bilbo discussing the departure of Rivendell with Elrond and Arwen • Saruman claiming he will soon become ‘more powerful than the Lord of the Rings himself’ • Several scenes involving the two hobbits and Treebeard, including Merry and Pippin drinking the Ent Draught • A beautiful soliloquy from Faramir post-battle with the Haradrim, where he asks rethorically ‘I wonder what his name was, where his home is, his family. Was he really evil at heart, or did the Dark Lord deceive him, as he has deceived so many others? What lies or threats led him on the long march from his home?’ updated additions: • More scuffling amongst the Uruk-hai and Orcs whilst in possession of the Hobbits • Faramir showing Frodo and Sam a way out of Osgiliath through the sewers • Saruman’s speech that begins ‘So Gandalf Greyhame thinks…’ • Ents participating in the battle of Helm’s Deep • Flashbacks to Boromir, Faramir and Denethor together • Further footage of Frodo’s scuffle with Sam • The Uruk-hai invasion of the caves in Helm’s Deep • Eomer pulling Theodred out of some mud post-battle • Aragorn releasing Theodred’s horse Brego, the horse that would save him later, from it’s stable • A flashback to Boromir’s death in FotR • A council of Elves debating whether or not an alliance with Men is feasible • Legolas scolding the stupidity of the Elves not to assist the race of Men with their fight against Sauron • Eowyn about to slay an Orc in the caves – may appear in RotK • Gimli smoking a pipe while resting on a dead orc – may appear in RotK updated additions: • Further shots of Gollum travelling to Mordor with the hobbits, including him ordering not to stop on a certain road and extensions to the cooked rabbit scene • Flashback to Smeagol killing Deagol over the One Ring while fishing on the River Anduin – will appear in RotK • Merry and Pippin discussing what will happen to them when the Uruk-hai find out they don’t bear the One Ring • Sam discussing the changes occuring to Frodo with Gollum while the Ringbearer is asleep • Gimli exploring the beautiful caves under Helm’s Deep with Legolas • The Orcs of Mordor joining the band of Uruk-hai • Aragorn conversing with someone at night while lying down in a Rohan camp
Thanks to the many Ringers who mailed in with some of the above contributions. If I’ve missed anything, please mail in!
The Mount Kisco Public Library and the North Castle Public Library will be joining forces for a special celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien’s 111th birthday on January 3rd, 2003. The party, which is designed for upper elementary and middle school students, will take place at 6:00 PM in the Mount Kisco Library. Party games will include deciphering dwarvish inscriptions, battling a nazgul’s “fell beast,” and exploring Fangorn Forest. There will also be birthday cake and presents (ie. door prizes)!
Enrollment is limited, and registration is required.
Library contact information:
1. Mount Kisco Public Library 100 Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY Phone: (914) 666-8041
2. North Castle Public Library 19 Whippoorwill Rd. East, Armonk, NY Phone: (914) 273-3887
